March 5, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

BARTLESVILLE , Okla. - Over 40 student-athletes were honored Tuesday as the Lone Star Conference women's basketball academic honors were announced by league officials at the LSC Awards Banquet in Bartlesville , Okla.

The recognition included an All-Academic Team, with an Academic Player of the Year, for both the LSC North and South Divisions, plus a Commissioner's Honor Roll for each division.

Northeastern State 's Lindsey Sams and Central Oklahoma 's Cassidy Pillow shared LSC North Division Academic Player of the Year honors, while West Texas A&M's Emily Brister was the LSC South Division Academic Player of the Year for the second straight year.

To be eligible for LSC academic honors, student-athletes must have reached sophomore status and carry at least a 3.20 grade point average. The All-Academic Team is selected from the list of academically qualified players, with the league's sports information directors voting on the basis of both academic and athletic achievement. All qualifying student-athletes not selected for the All-Academic Team are then named to the Honor Roll.

Sams is averaging eight points and 2.7 rebounds per game, while also dishing out a school record 123 assists this season for the RiverHawks.

Pillow, a four-year letterwinner, is the Bronchos second leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 14.1 points and 4 rebounds a game.

Sams and Pillow were joined on the North Division All-Academic Team by Southwestern Oklahoma State 's Grace Anne Fath, Southeastern Oklahoma State 's Jessica Hocker and UCO's Mallory Markus.

Brister, selected as the LSC and Women's DII Bulletin Preseason Player of the Year, guided WTAMU to its third straight South Division title. She also leads the league in scoring (21.6 points per game), steals (3.15) and free throw percentage (.859).

On the South Division All-Academic Team with Brister was teammate Holly Isaacs, Abilene Christian's Audrey Maxwell and Alex Guiton, and Tarleton State 's Krystal Cole.